Blessings and welcome Gentle Reader, I trust you are well and in good spirits. I would like to invite you to read today’s blog which flows as a direct response from the BetterBloggers Challenge I participated in February 2012.
I smiled to myself when I read Judith’s Final Challenge as part of the BetterBlogger Challenge –“The 5 Best Things About Working For Myself” I was transported back to the days when I mooted my desire to resign from my job as a stressed-out-worn-out Probation Officer to become a self-employed Yoga Teacher.
Listening to friends and colleagues share their concerns, fears and worries about “how will you manage” or “congratulations, I wish I had the courage to do that,” I appreciated the enormity of the popular expression – “there are three types of people in the world…those that make things happen, those that watch things happen and those who wonder what happen!”
These days, I am still a yoga teacher but I now see myself as an entrepreneur – someone in the category of people who make things happen. We just do; which brings me to #1 of the five best things I like about working for myself:
Best Thing #1 –It is up to me to make things happen, to put food on the table, and decide what schedule I am going to do today. As I write this post, it’s Friday afternoon, my twin daughters are home early from school and my eldest daughter is home for a few days from uni. We are all in the living room. I’ve got a pot of leek and potatoe soup simmering away, ready to eat when I finish this blog.
My eldest daughter is playing a Wii Game “Order Up.” I am sitting on the beanbag, laptop on my knees writing this post, my other daughter is sleeping on the settee and JJ, my youngest is leaning against me, chatting and watching big sister play “Order Up”. With my daughters all growing up and doing ‘their thing’, these chilled moments together at home are precious.
Best Thing #2- Strengthens my Faith
I am the first to admit, being self-employed has its ups and downs and when money is low, clients scarce, and the bills drop through the letter box I have to breathe and breathe a bit more. Yet each time I go through a valley I am always amazed at how I manage, how I am able to connect with people or manifest the exact thing needed when it’s needed. Lean times remind me of the power of prayer and meditation which gives me the strength and inspiration to ride the elements. It’s a glorious ride and not for the faint hearted.
Best Thing #3 – Having Fun And Getting Paid To Do What I Like
Writing is what I love to do. And to be at home, with my girls and earn money from something which comes naturally to me is a blessing.
Best Thing #4 –Being A Role Model To My Daughters And Thanking My Parents/Friends For Their Trust In Me
At times life is challenging, yet my daughters, close friends and parents are there to cheer me along. Seeing their trust and faith in my ability to grow my business and sustain myself and the family through the good and not so profitable times is priceless. I hope seeing me manage, inspires my girls and others to trust and believe in themselves that you too can succeed as an entrepreneur.
Best Thing #5 – I Can Be More Of Me
At first I struggled with the whole concept of “being self-employed” yet the more I embrace the “label”, ask for support, listen to the inner voice within and let my own voice shine, the greater I feel myself grow and expand. It is a marvellous feeling to wake up and say “YES! Let’s make this happen today…”Much as I enjoyed my job as a Probation Officer, my “YES!” was restricted and bounded to the rules and regulations of state intervention into the lives of my clients (offenders). I still followed my personal code of ethics but the nature and system Probation operated in, squeezed the juice out of my life. Now I am Just Juicy every day!
To Recap
So, in a nutshell, the best five things for me in being self-employed are: I can be more of me, I can serve as a role model for my daughters and others, my faith is strengthen as I have fun and get paid to do what I enjoy and, like writing this post, I am at home, surrounded by my daughters as I make my own choices and make things happen.
What more could a lass ask for!
If you are considering a change of career, I’d love to encourage you to stick with your daily yoga practice as it will give you the strength and courage to go with your heart and, if you self-employed what are the 5 best things you appreciate about working for yourself. Share your inspirations in the comment box below.
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Stay Blessed and enjoy the journey.
image, with thanks from sacrifice_87 via flickrr.com
hi Ntathu, your love and happiness spending time with your daughters just swelled off the page for me. It's as if they give you the strength and courage to be who fully who you are and you to them. So lovely. I wish you all the best with your yoga teaching and your entrepreneurial activities. You deserve the best. Sally x
What an inspiration and role model you are to your girls. As I read your 5 best things I was silently cheering at each one as they resonated so clearly with the joys of working for yourself. Not that you hid any of the hardships which add to the mix!
Your blog truly is a blessing to all those who have found you.
Thank you Jan..your words and encouragement mean a lot to me. It's "hard" at times for me to recognise myself and value I bring. So thanks for reminding me. Have a happy day and yes..workign for yourself is a wonderful mix.
Couldn't agree more!
Yes indeed, you are truly blessed! In fact each one of us are blessed, provided we think the way you do! We need to find pleasures in the smallest of things, and learn to value these moments in life, rather than cry over the past or over things that we don't have.
I loved to learn more about you and your daughters, am sure they are proud of their mom. Wishing you and your dear ones all the happiness :)
Hugs my dear. thx for visiting and sharing your energy. I agree, the magic is in the smallest of things and recognising what we have. Take special care of you.